Baked Mozzarella Bites

So when I saw this recipe back in 2011 I wanted to make it.  Someone in the house said no.  Then that someone's mother sent me a new cookbook for my birthday and this recipe was in there.  He was working so I went to the store and bought the ingredients to make them.  And then I made them.

Very easy.  Very good.  I made them again for that someone, and he said they tasted like Fried Mozzarella.  I'll take that as a compliment.

Baked Mozzarella Bites

Serve this quick after-school snack to your kids as an alternative to traditional fried cheesesticks.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 3 mozzarella bites and 1 tablespoon sauce)
Hands-on:15 Minutes
Total:18 Minutes

Ingredients
1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
3 (1-ounce) sticks part-skim mozzarella string cheese
3 tablespoons egg substitute
Cooking spray
1/4 cup lower-sodium marinara sauce (such as McCutcheon's)

Preparation 
1. Preheat oven to 425°.

2. Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1/3 cup panko to pan, and cook for 2 minutes or until toasted, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, and place the panko in a shallow dish (I left it in the pan...next time, I should split the panko in two, because it gets wet towards the end and stops sticking.

3. Cut mozzarella sticks into 1-inch pieces. Working with one piece at a time, dip cheese in egg substitute; dredge in panko. Place cheese on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 3 minutes or until the cheese is softened and thoroughly heated (more like 2 1/2 minutes).

4. Pour the marinara sauce into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until thoroughly heated, stirring after 30 seconds. Serve with mozzarella pieces.

Nutritional Information
Calories: 91; Fat: 5.1g; Saturated fat: 2.8g; Monounsaturated fat: 1.3g; Polyunsaturated fat: 0.3g; Protein: 7.2g; Carbohydrate: 6.7g; Fiber: 0.1g; Cholesterol: 12mg; Iron: 0.3mg; Sodium: 162mg; Calcium: 162mg

Cooking Light AUGUST 2011